THE BEST WARRIOR

"I hope you will tell the truth."

"The Northern kingdom has a saintess. But it is very difficult to find him. The Saintess is the chosen one who has a pure soul."

I know about him because I often read novels about royal love stories. But I didn't think I would meet him. It's like a dream.

"I want to meet him."

"But Her Highness the Empress. The place is far from the palace. The journey to get there is very dangerous. The prime minister and the other concubines will definitely not approve of it."

"Then don't tell them if I meet the saintess."

Lady Yun's face was pale. She knew what the risk would be if she were caught letting the empress go alone. If the empress faced a calamity, they would execute her.

"What if Her Majesty the Empress discussed this matter to the lord Duke?"

No one should know I went to see the saintess. They will indeed find out who I am.

"Alright I'll go along with one of the concubines."

The Empress will leave without the knowledge of the prime minister and lord Duke. What should I do? Dayang Yun was confused. But she could not forbid the empress.

"I understand Your Majesty."

Lady Yun's body became weak. She felt that her life would not last long. The prime minister and lord Duke will execute her immediately. In the evening, Emmanuel came to the empress. He sleeps hugging the empress. Even if they sleep in the same bed. Emmanuel didn't cross his line. He didn't force the empress to have sex. Emmanuel loved the empress very much.

"I really want to meet the saintess. Will you accompany me to go there?" The Empress asked Emmanuel. 

Instantly his face turned dark. He then wiped his mouth twice. It wasn't long before Emmanuel noticed that I was watching him.

"I will gladly accompany Her Majesty the Empress."

I smiled at him. However, Emmanuel wasn't much help. He is a man who can keep secrets. I can't ask other concubines for help. 

The next day I left for the Southern kingdom. Karol accompanied me as a bodyguard. This will be the worst trip. Inside the horse carriage, it was just Lady Yun and me. Karol rode a horse in the front row along with a few soldiers. Duke Magnus purposely gave the order to bring the best soldiers as my bodyguards. The prime minister also agreed.

"We just went to visit the Southern kingdom. But why bring so many troops?"

A hundred soldiers lined up neatly in front. Their attitude is too much. I'm not a child to be watched over. The absence of Emmanuel this trip was boring. Moments later, I yawned. Drowsiness came over. I then fell asleep. There was a loud sound coming from the carriage. I then woke up. I slowly rubbed my eyes.

"What is it?" I asked Lady Yun. 

Someone opened the carriage door. It turned out to be Karol.

"Sorry, Your Majesty, the trip has been disrupted because the road is full of rocks."

"I am alright. You can continue your journey."

The horse carriage is running again. I saw the view from the window. It was getting dark. It looks like I've been asleep for quite some time. For two days, we travelled. The Southern Kingdom can be crossed by more than one path. We took a detour. Although you have to make a detour, this road is very safe to pass. There is also a village on every street—quite a lot of people. Along the way, there are also inspection officers. They keep an eye on the robbers, so they don't commit crimes. Finally, the horse-drawn carriage arrived at the front yard of the palace. I got off the horse carriage. The crown prince Lion welcomed my arrival. He then kissed the back of my palm. I saw the maids of the Southern kingdom giving greetings.

"Welcome Her Highness Empress Jeong Hui."

The crown prince offered his arm. I then accepted, and then we walked into the palace. I accidentally saw Karol, who was looking at me. He seems very strange. Crown prince Lion escorted us to the guest palace. We all rested until it was time for dinner.

"Her Majesty the King invites the empress to dinner."  One of the maids from the Southern Kingdom called out to me.

"Okay, I'll come right away."

After answering that, I then prepared myself. Lady Yun helped me to take a bath. When I first came here, I felt uncomfortable when the palace maids served me bathing. In my country China I do it myself. It is common for nobles to be performed by ladies-in-waiting, especially for the royal family. They are served by maids who come from the nobility. A man is no exception. I do call it lazy. Lady Yun was only limited to helping me prepare the dress I would wear and straightening my hair. Even though Lady Yun wanted to bathe me, I firmly refused. I then went into the bathroom. The room is very spacious. The bathtub is also massive—many kinds of bath perfumes. I smell the perfume one by one. Doesn't the crown prince like tulips? Finally, I decided to use a fragrance with the scent of tulips to blend with the bathwater. I got into the bathtub. The warm water and the smell of tulips made me feel calm. For an hour, I soak. The Lion crown prince must have been waiting for me for a long time. I then got out of the tub and rinsed my body with cold water.

"This is the dress Her Highness the Empress will wear."

A gorgeous purple dress. It matches the bath perfume I use.

"Okay I'll wear this dress."

The lady of the Southern royal palace came into my room. They helped Lady Yun to serve me.

"Her Highness the Empress would like to wear what hairstyle?"

"Let this hair down. You just need to tidy up and give some decorations."

"Yes, Her Highness the Empress."

For thirty minutes, they helped me. The dress has been worn, the hair has been trimmed, and the make-up has adorned the face. It was time to meet the Lion crown prince. I came out of the room. Karol stood in front of me. His face reddened when we faced each other. He then turned his face away and gave a slight cough.

"Is Her Highness the Empress ready?" Carol asked. 

I answered with a nod of my head. Karol guides my way to meet the crown prince Lion. He also brought a gift that I will give to the crown prince Lion to congratulate his coronation as King. 

The door to the room opened. Lion crown prince standing in a white coat. He smiled at the empress. So far, the crown prince of Lion always wears dark clothes. But it's a nice change. I walked inside. The door then closed again. Karol is behind me. I then bowed my body and greeted the Lion crown prince.

"Nice to meet His Majesty the Lion King, Ruler of the Southern Kingdom. Congratulations on ascending the throne of His Majesty the King."

The Lion King then answered the greeting from the empress.

"Thank you for your concern Her Majesty the Empress is willing to come to the Southern Kingdom and congratulate her."

I then waved my hand. Karol came forward.

"This is a gift from me to His Majesty the King."

A beautiful brooch. The Lion King accepted the gift then smiled.